Matthew 5:38-39a

Matthew 5:38-39a (ESV): “38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil.”

Evil is all around us. We must never return evil for evil when insulted or slighted. Instead, we are to respond like Jesus—with love and kindness. That response is far more effective than defaulting to our flesh.

Jesus addresses another cultural misunderstanding of “an eye for an eye” (Exod. 21:24). The religious leaders had turned a civil law into a relational one. That was never God’s intention. It was never acceptable to retaliate when someone insulted you or wronged you personally. That is why Jesus says to turn the other cheek. He isn’t saying we should never defend ourselves physically; rather, He is teaching that we are not to return insult for insult. That is the idea. We must trust God to deal with that person while we maintain our character.

How do you respond when someone insults or wrongs you? Do you respond in kind? That would be the exact opposite of how you ought to respond. The Lord calls us to represent Him when we are mistreated, not to step into the flesh. We need the fruit of the Spirit to do so. Love is not vengeful; it does not return evil for evil. Be loving. Amen?

Father, we thank You for Your love toward us, even while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Help us to respond in kind to those who act in evil toward us. We pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.